Dynamic Conversations Edition 3 Data Literacy Crisis: Myth or Reality?
Welcome to the third edition of ‘Perspectives On: Dynamic Conversations’. This interactive edition of the ‘Perspectives On’ series features four original pieces and has been designed to provide a framework to support topical debate on current issues in the learning and teaching environment.
The Government’s Digital Strategy, published in June 2022, states that over 80 per cent of all jobs advertised in the UK now require digital skills. Numerous other industry insight reports indicate that we are facing a growing critical data literacy skills gap. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), we are on the brink of a ‘Reskilling Revolution’.
The term ‘data literacy’ is not easily defined. Employers bemoan the fact that students are not competent in using Excel. Is that the real data literacy gap or is more about knowing what they need to use it for? Do we have a sector level understanding of the non-negotiable level of data literacy that all students should have when they graduate from a Business Course and are we confident that they all meet this threshold? Do we provide opportunities for students to evidence how they exceed this and hence stand out in a competitive job market?
Data savviness for business school students
Dr Philip Oliver of Northumbria University explores the importance of instilling 'data savviness' in Business & Management students, and how embedding a framework across the curriculum can achieve this.
Business analytics in management education through professional development modules
In this written piece, Dr Anabela Soares of Bristol Business School considers the necessity of ingraining business analytics across Business & Management programmes, to prepare students to cope with data usage to make informed decisions in business contexts.
Embedding data literacy throughout the undergraduate business curriculum
A video from Dr Liz Cunningham of Newcastle Business School focusing on the disparity in training across different data analysis platforms between Level 4 and Level 6 undergraduate students, and how the introduction of a Level 5 module may help 'close the gap'.
Peering into the future of business education
With data literacy of increasing importance to employers, Dr Abdul Jabbar and Dr Ning Baines of the University of Leicester School of Business give an overview of what the next ten years of Business & Management education may look like, and why understanding data should be a key skill learned by students to maximise employability prospects.
Interested in taking part in future?
Further themes for Dynamic Conversations will be released in forthcoming Chartered ABS newsletters. If you have a suggestion for a future theme, please contact the Chair of the Editorial Board at Cathy.Minett-Smith@uwe.ac.uk.
The ‘Perspectives On’ Editorial Board is comprised of:
- Chair: Dr Cathy Minett-Smith, CMBE, PhD, PFHEA, Associate Dean for Learning, Teaching and the Student Experience, Faculty of Business and Law, University of the West of England (UWE).
- Professor Gillian Armstrong, CMBE, PhD, FHEA, Director of Business Engagement, Ulster University Business School.
- Professor Monika Foster, CMBE,PhD, PFHEA, Head of Sunderland Business School, University of Sunderland.
- Professor Helen Williams, PhD, CPsychol, FHEA,Professor in Organisational Psychology, Cardiff Business School.
The Editorial Board would like to thank all authors for their submissions to this edition of ‘Perspectives On: Dynamic Conversations’.
